Tyson Barrie fires back at Barry Trotz and throws his entire team under the bus!

In case you missed it earlier this week, word came out that Nashville Predators had granted veteran defenseman Tyson Barrie permission to seek a trade out of Nashville. 

Preds GM and franchise icon Barry Trotz wasn't exactly pleased with Barrie's trade request and said as much yesterday afternoon when asked about the situation.

“Tyson’s game hasn’t translated as well as we (would have) liked with us this year,” Trotz said prior to Nashville's 4-3 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks. “Tyson came in last year and did a tremendous job. (He's) going into his last year as a (pending) UFA. He was having a tough time, obviously, not being on the first power play. Just with what we did with our defence, how they played, how we play in terms of system, he felt that he wasn't quite fitting in. So, the other night, when he was healthy scratched, that was the first time in his career."

“Different players react to it differently. I didn’t like the way he reacted to it. You see around the league, I sat Alexander Ovechkin once and think about that."

"I think the player just being in the final year of his contract just feels that he's got to playing on a pretty regular basis. So, hopefully if it's not a fit, then maybe look for other opportunities. But, everything is dictated by his play, he has to be a good player for us. He can be a good player for anybody in the league if we decide to move him."

- Barry Trotz

A lot of reports out there characterized this as Trotz throwing Barrie 'under the bus', but I've got to disagree. You can't really argue with anything Trotz has to say there. It's clear that Barrie isn't happy with things thought and he's not hiding his displeasure. Last night he made it clear that he wasn't satisfied with Trotz's comments and that he's not happy as a healthy scratch in Nashville.

Check it out:

“Well, if we’re getting into it, I’m in the stands so it doesn’t really feel like a great fit. My goal is to be playing hockey. Whether that’s here or elsewhere is up for the powers that be to decide.”

- Tyson Barrie

If I'm Trotz, I'm doing everything possible to get this guy out of town on the next bus. That type of 'me first' mentality can wreak havoc on a team. It's time for everyone to move on.

In other Predators news, the team has placed 23 year old forward Liam Foudy on waivers.

From Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman:

The former 1st round pick (18th overall in 2018) has zero goals and three assists in just 12 games so far for the Preds this season. If he clears waivers, he'll be assigned to the Predators' AHL affiliate Milwaukee Admirals.

Interestingly enough, Foudy was claimed off of waivers earlier this season when the Columbus Blue Jackets attempted to demote him to their AHL affiliate Cleveland Monsters. It's safe to say that whichever NHL team ends up with his rights, that he could use some time in the AHL to build his confidence back up. It wasn't long ago that Foudy was seen as one of the top prospects in hockey after the Blue Jackets took him 18th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

The native of Toronto, Ontario had a stellar junior career with the OHL's London Knights and emerged as a star player for the team. His pro career hasn't gone according to plan, however. His best pro season came in 2021-22 with the AHL's Cleveland Monsters where he managed seven goals and 19 points in just 29 games. The following season in 2022-23, he put up his best NHL campaign with seven goals and 14 points in 62 games with the Blue Jackets. It's fair to say that he has not lived up to expectations so far though in his NHL career.

He's done with the Blue Jackets and now it looks like he's done with the Predators. It remains to be seen if he'll be given a third chance at an NHL career with a new team but I wouldn't be surprised if a bottom-feeding team takes a chance on him. Specifically, I'd be looking at the likes of the San Jose Sharks or Chicago Blackhawks to take a flier on the young forward.

It's also worth noting that he has chemistry with Washington Capitals forward Connor McMichael from the pair's time together with the Knights in the OHL. Also... just throwing it out there... Foudy also played with Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard in London, as well. Draw your own conclusions there, folks...